Tyson Fury Coach Names Their Toughest Fight – And It’s Not Oleksandr Usyk
Lead trainer of Joseph Parker and coach of Tyson Fury, Andy Lee, has revealed who he believes to be Tyson Fury’s toughest fight in the heavyweight division. Fury and Usyk had been in talks throughout 2023 for a showdown for the undisputed heavyweight title – a first ever four-belt unification bout in the division which would ultimately crown the next sole champion after Lennox Lewis in 2000.
After months of negotiations, all hope seemed lost until a shock announcement confirmed that the pair would meet in early 2024, and likely again later in the year due to a rematch-clause. Lee, who claimed the WBO middleweight title during his own career, told Boxing News that despite the magnitude of the hotly-anticipated clash, Fury’s toughest opponent in the division is one that he has already defeated twice.
“No, it’s Wilder. It’s Wilder, he’s like the final boss, Tyson has completed the game and now he’s doing some bonus levels,” said Lee. “Usyk is smaller, older, has a big amateur career, miles on the clock, just like Tyson.”
Lee praised the footwork and boxing ability of Usyk, but believes Fury is well prepared for the challenge with good sparring partners. “I’ve never seen Tyson as motivated, even like a year-and-a-half or two years ago when this fight with Usyk was being mentioned, how we would come into the gym, he is going to be up for the fight,” he said.
Lee has just coached Joseph Parker to beat Wilder over the distance, making his tally when coaching against the American three wins and one draw. Fury-Usyk will go ahead on February 17 in Saudi Arabia, topping what can expected to be another impressive card in the Kingdom as ‘Riyadh Season’ draws to a close.
Andy Lee’s opinion that Tyson Fury’s toughest opponent is Deontay Wilder is reflective of the competitive and unpredictable nature of the heavyweight division. While fans eagerly await the Fury-Usyk fight and the potential for an undisputed champion of the division, the rematch between Fury and Wilder could prove to be the most hotly contested and exciting fight in the division.
